Sons of Middleboro man killed in auto accident talk about huge loss’ for the family and town

Wednesday

Mar 13, 2013 at 12:01 AMMar 13, 2013 at 1:10 PM

Authorities have charged Zachery Lemmo, 20, of Middleboro, in connection with a fatal crash that killed former Middleboro teacher James Braga. Lemmo is charged with motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol.

Maria Papadopoulos

The family of James Braga was too distraught to speak after learning that a 20-year-old Middleboro man is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving drunk in Braga’s death.

“I just want everybody to know how much we love him,” said James D. Braga, 36, outside his father’s Middleboro home.

Braga, a former Middleboro High School teacher, was killed Saturday night in a two-car crash on Route 44 at Everett Street. Braga, 61, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lemmo, of 107 Oak St., Middleboro, is now charged with motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol. He was scheduled to be arraigned today in Wareham District Court.

Some of Braga’s friends say they were told two cars involved in a drag race caused the crash that killed him.

Authorities arrested Lemmo at his home without incident on Tuesday after obtaining an arrest warrant, according to a statement released by Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz’s office late Tuesday afternoon.

Details of what happened during the crash were not released Tuesday. Police would not release the crash report.

Braga, driving a Mercury Grand Marquis, was on his way home after visiting with family when he was killed, said his son, James D. Braga, a teacher at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School in Easton.

Lemmo, the driver of the other vehicle, was treated and released from a Boston hospital. The crash was investigated by state police detectives assigned to Cruz’s office and Middleboro police.

Tears welled up in the eyes of Jonathan Braga, Braga’s youngest son, as he spoke about his father.

“He was just a great person and you know, it’s a huge loss for our family but it’s also a huge loss for the whole community,” said Jonathan Braga, 29, who works as an EMT and call firefighter in Plympton. “It’s been like a shock wave, I think.”

The fatal crash has brought attention to the busy intersection of Route 44 and Everett Street, where several accidents have occurred, neighbors said.

A wake for Braga will be held from 2-9 p.m. on Friday in the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St., Middleboro. A funeral Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Sacred Heart Church, 340 Center St., Middleboro.

Correspondent Alice C. Elwell contributed to this report. Maria Papadopoulos may be reached at mpapa@enterprisenews.com or on Twitter @MariaEnterprise.